34 Columbus Ave Unit B20

Spring Valley, NY 10977

$55,000B+

1 bd · 1.0 ba · 650 sqft · Built 1969 · Townhouse · Active · 402 DOM

Cashflow @ list (25.0% down · 7.5%)

• Estimated rent: $2,067/mo
• Mortgage (P&I): −$288
• Tax + insurance: −$552
• HOA: −$0
• Vac / Maint / Mgmt: −$434
• Net cashflow: $793/mo
• Annual: $9,511/yr
• Cap rate: 33.63%
• Cash-on-cash: 97.63%
• DSCR: 5.34
• 1% rule: 3.76%
• Cash to close: $15,400

Investor read

• This is a 1-bed/1.0-bath townhouse listed at $55k. Condition is rated fair.
• At list price, monthly cash flow is $793 ($10k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($2k rent vs $55k).
• It's been on market 402 days — a 12% lower offer ($48k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• Recommended offer: $48k (12.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $380 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $2k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Location reads 67/100 on livability (#588 in NY) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: commute A+, health & safety B+; Watch: employment D+, crime F, amenities F.
• East Ramapo Central School District (Spring Valley) (suburban): math 22% / reading 34% proficiency, ranked #576 of 590 in NY (top 98%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover; 68% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
• Zoned schools: Fleetwood Elementary School (math 17% / reading 17%, grade F, #2,011 of 2,108 statewide, top 96%, 626 students, 70% FRL); Chestnut Ridge Middle School (math 9% / reading 30%, grade F, #685 of 729 statewide, top 94%, 646 students, 83% FRL); Spring Valley High School (math 67% / reading 77%, grade B+, #677 of 1,100 statewide, top 63%, 1,434 students, 82% FRL).
• Watch-outs: flood insurance adds $460/mo.
• Market conditions: 363 active listings in the ZIP; 5 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals lingering (median 49d on market — plan ~5-8 weeks vacancy on turnover, expect pricing pressure); 60% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; solid renter incomes; 429 units permitted in Rockland County in 2024 (231 in 5+ unit buildings).
• Rockland County population projected at +7% by 2050 — modest demand growth; plan on rents tracking national, not racing it.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 3.0% rent growth), your $15k cash investment doubles in ~2 years — after that, you're playing with house money.
• Climate carrying-cost: in FEMA flood zone AE (mandatory federal flood insurance); extreme-heat days projected 7→15/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.
• Cap rate 33.6% vs local median 2.1% in Spring Valley — top-decile yield for the area; either an underpriced asset or a hidden risk that comps aren't pricing in. Stress-test before assuming the spread holds.
• This rent runs 32% of the median local income ($78k/yr) — at the standard rent-burdened threshold; future hikes will face affordability resistance.

Questions for listing agent

• It's been on market 402 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 12% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
• Have any recent inspections been done? Can we get a copy of the seller's disclosures and any deferred-maintenance estimates?
• Built in 1969 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
• What's the actual annual flood-insurance premium (NFIP or private), and is the property in a SFHA with mandatory coverage?
• Why hasn't it sold? Are there any deal-killer items the seller is aware of (foundation, flood, title, zoning, code violations)?
• Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
• Crime grade is F in this area — have there been break-ins, vandalism, or insurance claims at this property in the last 3 years? What carrier currently insures it and at what premium?
• What's the average days-on-market for RENTAL listings here right now (not sales)? A rising rental-DOM trend means longer vacancies and softer asking-rent achievability than the comps imply.

Repairs flagged (vision-AI assessment)

• Minor: Paint job — The walls in the living room and kitchen have some discoloration and scuff marks.
• Moderate: Bathroom renovation — The bathroom has a dated design with a small vanity and a patterned shower curtain.
• Moderate: Kitchen renovation — The yellow walls and dated decor suggest a need for a fresh paint job and possibly new appliances.
• Major: Landscaping — The landscaping is minimal, and the curb appeal is low due to the lack of landscaping and the dated interior design.